India recorded a 38 per cent decline in TB deaths since 2015, beating the global reduction of 35 per cent. The WHO report released on Thursday showed the treatment success rate reached 94 per cent. Improved screening, AI-enabled diagnostics, and nutritional support helped the country make this significant health progress.
Improved screening, AI-enabled diagnostics and nutritional support drive progress, while treatment success rate reaches 94%, says health ministry
India has recorded a 38 per cent decline in tuberculosis (TB) deaths since 2015, surpassing the global reduction of 35 per cent, while achieving a treatment success rate of 94 per cent among patients with drug-susceptible TB, according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tuberculosis Report 2026.
The findings, highlighted in the report released on Thursday, reflect India's progress towards eliminating TB through early detection, timely treatment, technological innovation and comprehensive patient care, the health ministry said in a statement.
India's estimated TB mortality rate fell from 28 per lakh population in 2015 to 18 per lakh in 2025, marking a 38 per cent reduction, the statement said.
The WHO report incorporated evidence from multiple sources, including the Registrar General of India's Sample Registration System (RGI/SRS), community-based verbal autopsy assessments and programme data from the Ni-kshay portal, to strengthen estimates of TB mortality.
The health ministry attributed the decline to intensified interventions under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), including proactive case finding through AI-enabled X-rays, rapid diagnostics, prompt treatment initiation, differentiated TB care and nutritional support through the Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana and Ni-kshay Mitra initiative.
These efforts were supported by AI tools for identifying hotspots and predicting high-risk TB cases prone to adverse outcomes, along with the Khushi-AI Chatbot and Avatar Videobot, the statement said.
The 94 per cent treatment success rate further reflects the effectiveness of India's patient-centred approach, strengthened treatment delivery and sustained support for people affected by TB.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's fight against TB has evolved into a nationwide Jan Andolan, bringing together government institutions, healthcare professionals, communities and citizens in pursuit of a TB-Mukt Bharat, the ministry said.
Guided by the prime minister's emphasis on Jan Bhagidari, the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has accelerated community-based screening, AI-enabled chest X-rays, rapid molecular diagnostics, TB preventive treatment and nutritional support, taking essential services closer to vulnerable populations.
India's commitment is also reflected in the fact that 96 per cent of the TB programme's funding requirements are met through domestic resources, demonstrating sustained national investment, political commitment and a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to TB elimination, the statement said.
Over 25 crore people screened under intensified campaigns
The first intensified 100-day campaign, launched on December 7, 2024, across 347 high-priority districts in 33 states and Union Territories, was subsequently expanded nationwide to strengthen early detection, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk populations.
Building on the campaign's progress, another intensified 100-day drive was launched on March 24, 2026, focusing on TB screening in 1.58 lakh high-risk villages and wards, congregate settings and vulnerable populations.
Between December 7, 2024, and November 8, 2026, more than 25 crore people were brought within the ambit of TB screening activities, the statement said.
Over 11 crore chest X-rays were conducted to strengthen early detection, leading to the identification of 48.64 lakh new TB cases, including 14.97 lakh asymptomatic cases, the ministry said.
The detection of nearly 15 lakh asymptomatic cases is particularly significant in identifying individuals who might otherwise remain undiagnosed.
The Abhiyaan also focuses on prompt treatment initiation, differentiated patient care, nutritional assistance and continued community-based support to improve treatment outcomes. These efforts led to 67,933 panchayats being declared TB-free in 2025, the statement said.
The deployment of portable AI-enabled digital X-rays, expansion of rapid molecular diagnostic technologies, including nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), and strengthening of diagnostic infrastructure have improved the programme's reach across diverse geographical and social settings.
The Ni-kshay digital platform supports patient tracking, treatment monitoring and programme management, strengthening continuity of care and timely interventions.
The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (ICMR-NIRT) conducted a nationally representative TB prevalence survey in 2025, which has been shared with WHO and is under technical discussion. Following this, WHO will publish an updated country profile for India, the statement said.
Community participation strengthens TB elimination drive
The mobilisation of communities and institutions as active partners has emerged as a defining feature of India's TB elimination efforts, the ministry said.
The participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, urban local bodies, elected representatives, civil society organisations, private healthcare providers, corporate partners and community leaders has strengthened awareness, screening, nutritional assistance and patient support at the grassroots level.
The Ni-kshay Mitra initiative has encouraged citizens and institutions to contribute directly to the recovery and well-being of people undergoing TB treatment, reinforcing collective responsibility.
Building on this momentum, the JOSH Teams initiative is expanding youth participation in the TB elimination movement. Teams are being constituted at block and ward levels, led by designated Class-I officers and supported by five NCC cadets and five MY Bharat volunteers, the statement said.
Through awareness generation, community outreach and mobilisation, the JOSH Teams are strengthening grassroots participation and advancing the vision of a TB-Mukt Bharat, it added.
According to the health ministry, the achievements highlighted in the WHO report reflect India's sustained investments in public health, technological innovation, scientific surveillance and community-driven interventions.
The government will continue to build on these gains through intensified screening, expanded access to quality diagnostics, prompt and effective treatment, TB preventive treatment, nutritional assistance and deeper community engagement, it said.